World Cup: Canada 4 Nations Tournament 2025 Roster Talk

[Hazy Little Thing]

Today is essentially a semifinal, I’m ripping up the lineup card from against the states and trying to get this relatively anemic team Canada to score, here’s what I’m going with:


Bennett-McDavid-MacKinnon


The team has gone moribund after the first 15 mins against Sweden, time to go nuclear and play this line 27 minutes a night. McDavid game 7 against the LA Kings 2022 (28:14) and MacKinnon games 5 and 6 (average 26:21) against Dallas in the bubble 2020? Those are the two versions of those players that need to turn up for Canada if they have any hope of winning the tournament.

Hagel-Point-Reinhart

Hagel and point rid themselves of the dead weight Cirelli looked like against the USA. Their speed will be key going forward. Reinhart is demoted from top line to hopefully take advantage of the speed that point generates to find space to shoot.

Marchand-Crosby-Stone

As much as possible, keep Sid on a line where he can handle the pace of the game. Him and MacKinnon have looked disjointed 5v5.

Jarvis(RH)-Cirelli-Marner

Marner is allowed to drive his own line and play in a defensive matchup role that won’t handcuff McDavid. Jarvis looked more defensively sound than Konecny did against Sweden when they were both in, so he gets to stay in the lineup over Konecny.


There’s been a lack of clarity as to whether Harley is allowed to play or not, but if he is, I would go with:


Toews-Makar

Obvious


Harley-Doughty

Save the one weird change I thought they played well against the states


Morrissey-Parayko

Good pairing against the USA apart from one idiotic rimmed breakout pass thay hit off the winger’s skate in the third that led to a quasi breakaway



Hill

Is much better suited to face the type of traffic Canada gives up versus Binnington


Do or die now

Dear god, the Marchand-Crosby-Stone line might be the slowest in history. Terrible line combo

 

[Mathieukferland]

Dear god, the Marchand-Crosby-Stone line might be the slowest in history. Terrible line combo

It’s better to consolidate them all on one line than to have them ruin the pace of the other lines. But I generally agree, that’s the biggest takeaway for me for Milan next year is that the team needs to be built on speed, speed, speed. When the pace of the game was high when the McDavid and Point lines were out against Matthews and the brothers line, Canada looked like the far better team. But when Crosby’s line and the fourth line got dragged into grind shifts by the USA bottom 6 because of their lack of speed, they looked second best. Pick players next year thar keep the pace of the game high and suffocate opponents with wave after wave, it’s why I would model team Canada after the 2022 avalanche and name Sakic the GM

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Here's how it looks with GSAx (min. 22 Games). Binnington is 29th, Thompson is 2nd. Blackwood is 9th.

1 . Logan Thompson - GSAx (2) - behind only Hellebuyck
2. Darcy Kuemper - GSAx (15)
3. Mackenzie Blackwood - GSAx (9)
4. Jake Allen - played less than 22 games
5. Cam Talbot - GSAx (18)
6. Joel Hofer - played less than 22 games
7. Calvin Pickard - played less than 22 games
8. Adin Hill - GSAx (19)
9. Stuart Skinner - GSAx (33)
10. Sam Montembeault - GSAx (20)
11. Jordan Binnngton - GSAx (29)

NHL Goalie Advanced Stats 2024-2025

NHL Goalie Analytics, Goals Saved Above Expected

moneypuck.com

I just don't get why they're so enamored by Binnington. Leaving better options aside for the moment, they won't even try one of the guys they DID bring instead of Binnington.

 

[red devil]

 

[Mathieukferland]

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

 

[JackSlater]

It’s better to consolidate them all on one line than to have them ruin the pace of the other lines. But I generally agree, that’s the biggest takeaway for me for Milan next year is that the team needs to be built on speed, speed, speed. When the pace of the game was high when the McDavid and Point lines were out against Matthews and the brothers line, Canada looked like the far better team. But when Crosby’s line and the fourth line got dragged into grind shifts by the USA bottom 6 because of their lack of speed, they looked second best. Pick players next year thar keep the pace of the game high and suffocate opponents with wave after wave, it’s why I would model team Canada after the 2022 avalanche and name Sakic the GM

They should go with Sakic but it will be Armstrong. I have no issue with how Stone has played, and Crosby should be fine a year from now if healthy. Marchand has been ok to me but he clearly won't be there in 2026.

The last game was one suited to Pronger. It is true though that people overreact every time there is a chance to do so. That said, Canada could very possibly lose to Finland today and be done.

It will be good if Harley can play, though I can't single out any defenceman as a problem. Getting Makar back should be huge if the game once again devolves to both teams just clogging up the middle.

 

[Roo]

I'm confused why people are just ok with Marchand being on this team and being named right away. Small slow old and way past his prime. Seems like a legacy pick and not based on merit

Not sure people are. Plenty including myself were disappointed with this pick, and the roster selections in general. I mean, we’re missing 3 obvious players from the current top team in the NHL this year.

 

[Mathieukferland]

Binnington starts

 

[Heldig]

Not sure people are. Plenty including myself were disappointed with this pick, and the roster selections in general. I mean, we’re missing 3 obvious players from the current top team in the NHL this year.

I am curious. Who?

 

[Roo]

I am curious. Who?

Logan Thompson, Tom Wilson, Dylan Strome. Strome is the debatable one, but what isn’t debatable is that he centres the top line on the Caps, and they are legit this year. Meanwhile, the TB trio have 1 assist and are a -3.

 

[New User Name]

We ( us Canadians) will always second guess the selections when we lose.

I think the bigger issue, in the game with the USA was playing into their planned antics with the 3 fights in the first minute.

Even though we scored first, the intensity and level of patriotism because of the political situation and the fans response energized the Americans.

We've heard all week about the fans response and the players opinions.

I'm not saying it's right, but it certainly is f***ing understandable and not one Canadian player has even suggested that, which IMO is disappointing.

 

[Mathieukferland]

Harley scratched, Binnington starting… almost feels like the management and coaching staff can’t swallow their pride

 

[DavidLamb]

The tournament is most likely OVER for TC as the arrogant and stubborn coach decides to go with Binnington. Hey it is just one leaky goal per game. TC should be able to score more to make up more 1-2 leaky goals.

DO NOT USE THE BETTER GOALIE AS I AM STUBBORN AND ARROGANT, EVEN TEAM CANADA TEAM B CAN WIN ANY TOURNAMENT. WHAT A BUNCH OF ARROGANT AND STUBBORN people, thinking that they can defeat top team easily. WOW.

 

[rielledup]

Logan Thompson, Tom Wilson, Dylan Strome. Strome is the debatable one, but what isn’t debatable is that he centres the top line on the Caps, and they are legit this year. Meanwhile, the TB trio have 1 assist and are a -3.

You think Wilson is an obvious should've been on the team? Maybe in retrospect with how crazy the US game was but I don't think many people would've predicted the game would be like that.

 

[Roo]

You think Wilson is an obvious should've been on the team? Maybe in retrospect with how crazy the US game was but I don't think many people would've predicted the game would be like that.

Nothing to do with how that game started, but everything to do with his bounce-back season. He’s one of the best power forwards in the game with the way he’s played this season. 24 goals already, which is more than either Tkachuk and a number of guys on team CAN.

 

[ORRFForever]

You think Wilson is an obvious should've been on the team? Maybe in retrospect with how crazy the US game was but I don't think many people would've predicted the game would be like that.

LOTS of people wanted Wilson before the team was picked.

 

[ORRFForever]

Canada played well until all heck broke loose in the final minutes. Sid saved the day.

Marner (I am NOT gloating) played 12 minutes - perfect.

Sam Reinhart needs to step up and score.

McDavid and MacKinnon were great.

Makar and Toews were great together.

Very happy that Point has started playing.

Binnington still scares me but we are ride or die at this point.

The team is coming together and we've faced a ton of adversity so...

**********************************************************************

@jj cale is in da house !!!!

 

[featherhawk]

I just don't get why they're so enamored by Binnington. Leaving better options aside for the moment, they won't even try one of the guys they DID bring instead of Binnington.

ya, it makes no sense, its like someone at Hockey Canada said Jordan is our Goalie, like it or go away...its ridiculous, the guy is the worst of three goalies on our roster...its like they want to give the opponent an edge...

 

[JackSlater]

Binnington stinks, it is just something that has to be accepted at this point. Other than that, that game showed some necessary development for Canada. Makar was back and clearly added a threatening dimension that was lacking before. The forward lines all looked cohesive. Marner did well playing with Cirelli and Hagel, Reinhart finally played well with and without the puck, McDavid looked more comfortable with his linemates, and the Bennett line with Marchand and Konecny was threatening and provided energy. The pairings all looked solid. The main lesson is to not focus a 6 on 5 situation on trying to get McDavid or MacKinnon a goal, should that situation arise again.

I have enjoyed this tournament for what it is. We've seen some good insights for 2026, the games have been entertaining, and Canada gets to play for a worthwhile title. Canada (the NHL I guess, but really it was Canada) lost the Challenger Cup and Rendez Vous 87, which I think are the closest comparables to this event. Time to win one.

 

[featherhawk]

Harley scratched, Binnington starting… almost feels like the management and coaching staff can’t swallow their pride

ya so Harley was one of our Best players the only game he played, he earned a start in this game IMO...

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

Cooper's best move was moving Point to the top line. He gels with McDavid and scores a big goal today. Point is made for big games, I'm surprised Cooper didn't do this sooner especially since he knows that Point is a beast in the playoffs..

 

[BTO]

I'm confused why people are just ok with Marchand being on this team and being named right away. Small slow old and way past his prime. Seems like a legacy pick and not based on merit

Even as a Bruin’s fan I didn’t think he deserved to be there. He’s certainly not cooked but is clearly on the downhill slope. But he was definitely a legacy pick. May as well just have picked Bergy too.

All that said I think he’s played well, and the Marchand/Bennett/Konecny line certainly played well today. Better than Cirelli and Marner anyway.

 

[hardcorehabs]

Point Mcdavid Stone
Reinhart Mack Crosby
Hagel Jarvis Konecny
Marchand Bennet Marner

 

[BTO]

I just don't get why they're so enamored by Binnington. Leaving better options aside for the moment, they won't even try one of the guys they DID bring instead of Binnington.

Today was the perfect day to start Hill and see how he looked. Canada was always going to beat Finland anyway, the two 6 on 5 goals notwithstanding.